How much it costs to replace a single manhole cover in South Africa

It costs approximately R850 to restore a single manhole cover in South Africa.

The City of Cape Town recently disclosed that its Water and Sanitation Directorate has spent around R2.4 million replacing missing sewer drain manhole covers.

This figure accounted for the period from July 2024 to May 2025 and involved the replacement of 2,824 manhole covers, working out to R849.85 per cover.

While this is lower than the previous year’s figure of 4,468, it is still a significant issue for Cape Town.

Beyond the substantial monetary costs, the missing manhole covers present a serious risk to city infrastructure and public safety.

One such issue is that open drains allow rainwater to pour into the sewer system during stormy weather, potentially overflowing the sewers.

Additionally, foreign objects that get dumped into the sewers with the rain can potentially lead to pipe blockages, causing further problems and damaging infrastructure such as pump stations.

In a worst-case scenario, this overflowing and the blockages can lead to sewer collapses.

Motorists and pedestrians are also at risk from open manholes, which function like extreme potholes and can lead to serious damage if not noticed.

During rainy weather, the missing manholes are also much harder to notice due to being filled with water and blending into the surroundings.

Cape Town residents should make a point of remaining alert to avoid damaging their vehicles or suffering injuries from accidents.

Solving the issue

Recently, the city launched a pilot project to test lockable manhole covers and determine whether stronger locking mechanisms would reduce theft and vandalism.

However, according to the Cape Town Water and Sanitation Directorate, a key part of the solution is public support.

“This is a preventable issue that requires everyone’s help. By reporting missing or damaged covers, residents can help us protect our sewer infrastructure and prevent costly and dangerous overflows,” said Zahid Badroodien, Cape Town Councillor and Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

As an incentive to the public, the city is also offering a reward of up to R5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect or the recovery of stolen property.